“I do,” I said. I laughed and sniffled, trying to get myself under control.
“I love making fleece blankets, and when Russell said you hated the cold, I knew exactly what I wanted to make for you.”
“Lily, thank you. I don’t even know what to say. I’m kind of speechless,” I explained. “No one has ever made me something. This is so thoughtful of you. Thank you so much.”
When Russell patted my back and then pulled me close to his side, I went willingly. I was so overcome with emotions that I welcomed his strength.
“Turn the blanket over, Ryan,” Stanley encouraged.
Russell took hold of one side and helped me turn it over. In maroon thread, Lily had stitched an outline of the number thirteen and above my number was “Hudson.” With the blanket in my arms, I stood and walked toward Lily to hug her.
“Thank you so much, Lily. You have no idea how much I love this.”
“You’re so welcome, Ryan.”
I draped the blanket over my shoulders, as if it were a cape, on my way to the Christmas tree. I picked up the gift bag with the picture frame for Lily and Stanley. I handed it to Stanley and then resumed my place on the couch beside Russell. He pulled me close again. While his parents read my Christmas card, Russell leaned close to me and kissed my temple.
“This will keep you warm and comfortable when you’re up reading at night,” he whispered.
“I know. This is great. I can’t believe how personalized it is.”
Though I enjoyed how good it felt being wrapped up in the blanket in Russell’s arms, I sat up straighter when Lily and Stanley pulled the frame out of the tissue paper.
“Oh my goodness!” Lily said as she leaned closer to Stanley with the frame.
“Well, that it is one fine picture. This was on your trip out?” Stanley asked.
“Yes. I took it with my phone while we were at Arches National Park,” I proudly said.
They liked it! I could tell they really liked it. The girls had been right about the frame idea too. This was a much better gift with the frame.
Russell squeezed my shoulder and asked, “What did you get them?” Before I had a chance to answer, Lily turned the frame around and then stretched her arm out to hand it to Russell.
“How did you get the print and the frame so fast?” Russell asked as he gazed at the picture. “I love this picture of us, Ryan.”
“I ordered it online and selected a store in Indianapolis to pick it up.”
“It’s a wonderful picture. When you showed us all of the pictures you guys took on your drive, this was one of my favorites,” Lily explained.
“I noticed your hobby room had lots of shelves with pictures and thought this might look nice in there.”
“Oh, Ryan, thank you. But this picture is far too special to be tucked in the hobby room. We want this one to sit out so our friends and family can see it when they come over,” Lily said.
“How about the entryway on the table?” Stanley suggested.
“That’s perfect!” Lily handed Stanley the frame to set on the table since it was much easier for him to move around and get up and down from the couch.
I grabbed the gift bag for Russell and handed it to him to open. He pulled out the card first, and I busied myself with eating a cookie while he read over what I wrote on the card.
“Looks like he wrote you a book,” Stanley commented.
“He is the author of the family,” she said.The family.“It’s probably sweet and romantic and would melt hearts,” Lily added.
“Indeed,” Russell said as he closed the card and set it beside him. “It was all of those things.” Russell took hold of my jaw and guided my head to turn and face him. “I love it, Ryan.”
“You didn’t open the present yet. You might hate it.”
“I very much doubt that,” he said as our eyes remained locked on one another. He flattened his hand against my chest and said, “What you have in here that you translate into words is an amazing gift.” His hand on my chest gripped my shirt and pulled me close so he could kiss me.
